Suspect In Radio Theft Hit Officer, Police Say Police

July 10, 1985|The Morning Call

While the mother of an 18-year-old Allentown man was charging "cops beat him," the suspect was reportedly taking a few swings at police himself yesterday afternoon in the cellblock at Allentown Police Headquarters.

Police said they apprehended Miguel Angelo Diaz, 18, of 222 Linden St., in the 300 block of Basin Street after a foot chase from N. 6th Street, between Hamilton Mall and Linden Street, where he reportedly had been seen attempting to steal a radio from a parked car.

Investigators said the mother of the suspect and her husband were brought to police headquarters to identify him. Police said he refused to say who he was and had no identification.

Police said the mother identified Diaz as her son and was about to leave the cellblock with her husband when Diaz said something to her in Spanish. Police said the woman then sat down on a chair and refused to leave. She demanded to know which officer had punched her son. Patrolman William Houck said he knew nothing about her son being punched and again asked her to leave.

Sgt. Charles Higgins entered the cellblock area and asked the woman to leave. When she again refused, he and Houck attempted to pick her up and remove her, but the husband then interfered. She also complained of being hurt by Houck and Higgins.

Higgins tried to explain to the woman that her son had been seen inside someone's car and was attempting to steal a radio. She replied, "So what. It doesn't matter. It's the cops. They beat people up. They are always picking on us and beating people up."

During the exchange, police said, Diaz reached though the bars of his cell and punched Higgins. He later grabbed his arm and punched him in the face. Other police entered the cell to break Diaz's hold on Higgins' arm. Police said Diaz threatened them, spit on them and also punched Patrolman Jeff Mertz. He eventually sat down in the corner of the cell. Police said Diaz received some facial injuries during the encounter.

Police said the series of events started at 3:07 p.m. when they received a report from John Kearsley of 10 Patrick Lane, Morrisville, Bucks County, that he had caught a person attempting to steal a radio from his parked car. He said the suspect was lying on the front seat of the car with his feet sticking out the driver's door. He said he closed the door on the suspect's legs, but the suspect was able to flee out the passenger side.

Diaz was arraigned before District Justice Janice Hettinger on two counts of aggravated assault, criminal attempt, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. He was committed to Lehigh County Prison in lieu of $2,000 bail to await a hearing.